Tag: Mark Wahlberg

“This movie is the best movie I’ve seen in a long time! Coming from a military family and my husband being a Marine, this movie brought me to tears many times. Mark Wahlberg and the actual survivor who helped direct the film [have] done an amazing job, I can’t imagine how painful it had to be for him to relive this event and the loss of his brothers.” – Jenn B

New Mexico Film, Lone Survivor, starring Mark Wahlberg, tells the story of four Navy SEALs on an ill-fated covert mission to neutralize a high-level Taliban operative who are ambushed by enemy forces in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Based on the New York Times bestseller, this story of heroism, courage and survival directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) also stars Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana. LONE SURVIVOR will be released by Universal Pictures in platform engagements on Friday, December 27, 2013, and will go wide on Friday, January 10, 2014.

While this blogette has been hoping for a cameo appearance by Mark Wahlberg on the set of Seth MacFarlane’s uproarious comedy western, A Million Ways to Die in the West, now filming here in New Mexico, it looks like TRANSFORMERS 4 has flown onto the radar with its imminent return to the Land of Enchantment.

The Lone Survivor and 2 Guns star has been tapped since last year to star in Michale Bay’s latest installment of the franchise and now that filming looms more deets are coming to light including a laundry list of big hitters to join Wahlberg, Autobots and Descepticons, including Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, Nicola Peltz, Sophia Myles and Li Bingbing.

Yesterday – These pics of the now wrapped NMFilm “Lone Survivor” have bucked Johnny Depp and “The Lone Ranger” from the single most viewed post in this site’s history. The film’s star Mark Wahlberg is all aces with us for back-to-back NMFilm duty with only kind word and deed to all locals he encountered, including AZUMA sushi owners who say Wahlberg told them his favorite Sunday activities in NM are church and Azuma dining!

Today – Cameras are rolling in the Q on a high stakes NBC television script. The dramatic series pilot, “After Hours” is currently filming and employing even more of New Mexico’s finest! We need this series pick-up as our beloved “Breaking Bad” preps to wrap the final eight episodes of the epic Albuquerque based AMC series.

Mañana’ish – The indie film “Frontera”, is getting set to wrap. The film, starring the lovely Eva Longoria and NMFilm vet Ed Harris has generated a nice bit of buzz with the locals who have caught a glimpse of cast and crew in some rural New Mexico locations.

Along with the aforementioned series finale of “Breaking Bad”, the sure to be glorious season two of the A&E hit series, “Longmire” is getting set to roll this spring…

When the backdrop is our glorious New Mexico vistas, the story is the compelling account of real-life heroes in battle, direction by Peter Berg, cast of Hollywood A-listers and actual Military Veterans, movie magic happens…New Mexico style!

Here for your viewing pleasure is a slue of set pics that have come in, from a very special stint that NMFilm “Lone Survivor” cast & crew spent on location at a New Mexico Air Force Base, on and around Veterans Day!

Cast members including Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Eric Bana, Ben Foster, Alexander Ludwig and Sammy Sheik have been in New Mexico since late September filming Peter Berg’s adaptation of the book by Marcus Luttrell.

Luttrell (pictured below with NM native, actor Jerry Angelo) literally wrote the book, Lone Survivor based on the 2005 Military Operation known as Operation Red Wings in which, “a four-man Navy SEAL team consisting of Lt. Michael Murphy, and petty officers Danny Dietz, Matthew Axelson and Marcus Luttrell departed for a reconnaissance mission high in the Hindu Kush Mountains near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The team’s target was Ahmad Shah, a local terrorist leader with close ties to Bin Laden who led a group of insurgents referred to as the “Mountain Tigers”. Five days after insertion, Luttrell was the only SEAL to make it out alive.”

In June Luttrell is quoted as saying, “I want to make sure that the movie is true to the book. Most people get their information from movies and TV and don’t read so I want to make sure this movie is as realistic as possible.” – Luttrell to Blackfive.net

Study or no study, New Mexico banks on long running series like Breaking Bad, In Plain Sight, Crash and Longmire as the life’s blood of its film production jobs and statewide peripheral spending. Mega hits like The Avengers and the hotly anticipated, Lone Ranger film spike excitement and international recognition of the state.

Repeat appearances too, of stars like Ed Harris who’s heading back for a third run in NMFilm, boost awareness of the local industry. Following his turn as John McCain in the Emmy winning HBO movie “Game Change”, and work on the recently wrapped period western “Sweetwater” with January Jones, Harris is now making news with his latest NM project, “Frontera” – costarring the lovely Eva Longoria.

Superstar Mark Wahlberg is watched the world over, and as we told you here, is now a two-term NMFilm star. At OHI we hear nothing but praise from cast & crew who have worked with the actor/producer (The Fighter, The Perfect Storm/Boardwalk Empire, Entourage) and proud family man, who is genuinely interested and concerned about those around him. The star has been quick to praise the state’s film crews and locales – he’s one of the good guys who are lending the state some positive notoriety with his return to local sets for his back-to-back turn in the NM productions, “2Guns” and “Lone Survivor”.

When this New Mexico Filmophile happened upon a day of Lone Survivor filming in Albuquerque last week, I had the chance to re-introduce myself (stammer and gush) to the one and only Mark Wahlberg!

Wahlberg praised New Mexico, saying he likes filming here, reminding me that he just finished-up a great shoot on another NMFilm, “2 Guns”. He admiringly made mention of the hardworking crew and staff who have been handling the remote mountain shoots on this current project.

Besides lauding the local filming conditions and talent, the family man was also quick to state how convenient it is to get back home to California on breaks from shooting.

So now, my original 20 year-old Mark Wahlberg story comes full circle. It was great to see him at work and he’s just as kind and considerate (and gorgeous) as he was when I first met him as a teen.

In fact, after the take I was able to see, he popped out of the scene and said to me, “Sorry about the language”, with a wink and a smile, regarding his character’s colorful vocabulary (he’s got nothing on Ted).

And just like all the reports and fan photos from 2 Guns would suggest, the star’s graciousness extends to every shoot. When I first got to the set Wahlberg was snapping some pics and chatting with staffers and such. YES ladies and gentlemen, I too got away with a pic and a hug!

Things I forgot to ask:

Whether or not he has or will meet-up with Jennifer Aniston, his Rock Star co-star who’s also currently filming here.

Did he hear anything about filming in NM from his “Fighter” co-stars Christain Bale (3:10 to Yuma, Terminator Salvation) or Amy Adams (Sunshine Cleaning)? What about “The Book of Eli” duo, Denzel Washington (2 Guns co-star) or Mila Kunis (Ted co-star)?

What he thought of big brother Donnie’s stint on the NM series “In Plain Sight”.

UPDATE: Wahlberg’s next NMFilm, “LONE SURVIVOR” will hold an OPEN CALL for EXTRAS on Saturday September 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Santa Fe.

A wide range of extras of all types are wanted, with special interest/need for those with Military experience.

Double click thumbs below to enlarge pics from the central New Mexico set of 2 Guns starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg.

The production has been filming in various locations around the state, including the now defunct border crossing replica, constructed in downtown Albuquerque which made the news daily in drive-time traffic reports.

The stars and the hard working New Mexico cast & crew are wrapping-up remote location shoots for the graphic novel turned action suspense movie. 2 Guns is set for a summer 2013 release.

MUST have full/flexible availability and be in OLC database with a RECENTLY updated profile.

Please post here ONLY if you fit these casting specs and are available 100% on all work dates. If your FB screen name is different than your actual name, please list first & last name.

If you do not have a profile with OLC, please send us an email ASAP to: onlocationcastingNM@yahoo.com with subject line PEASANT WOMAN and include a recent photo, your first & last name, age range, height, weight and phone number.

For multiple work dates between 8/20/12-9/4/12. MUST have flexible schedule to be able to work as many days as needed during this timeframe.

IMMIGRANTS & COYOTES: male and female, Hispanic, age range 18-70, interesting faces, some cowboy/vaquero types, peasant types, etc. MUST know how to swim as you will be wading through the river in some scenes (as if crossing the border).

Locations vary between Santa Fe and Rio Chama/Abiquiu.

If selected – you will be required to pass a swim test (two laps -100 yards- without touching the bottom of the pool and swimming while holding your head out of the water) on Tuesday 8/14/12 between 9am-11am. If you pass the swim test you will also be sent to a wardrobe fitting on the same day.

Pay rate is $72.00 for 8 hours ($9.00/hour) with an 8 hour guarantee and time & 1/2 after 8 hours. Additional amount (TBD) will be paid for water work.

You MUST have full day availability (12+ hours) during entire shoot schedule, be in OLC database and be willing to self-travel to either Santa Fe or Rio Chama locations. (no mileage reimbursement)

Post here if in OLC database & available. We will call to book you!! Please DO NOT post unless you are 100% available for work on swim test/fitting and work dates. **DO NOT POST IF YOU DO NOT FIT THESE SPECS!!*

OK to repost for others who fit the descriptions and might be interested in working, however they will need to complete a talent application at www.onlocationcasting.net

With the leading man cast in place, including Mark Wahlberg, Marcus Luttrell, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch for Peter Berg’s film adaptation of the harrowing 2005 mission forged by Navy SEAL Team 10, known as “Operation Red Wings”, New Mexico film is at the ready.

The production is set to begin on Sept. 25. Along with the earlier call for Arabic speaking men, women and children, EG Casting is currently seeking middle Eastern and Hispanic males with full beards, as well as men of all races with arms training. To be considered register or update your photo and resume at www.egcasting.com.

Battleship director Peter Berg appears to be headed New Mexico way for Universal Pictures, Lone Survivor.

The film, adapted from Marcus Luttrell’s best selling book, is based on the failed June 28, 2005 mission “Operation Red Wing”, in which four members of SEAL Team 10, were tasked with the mission to capture or kill notorious Taliban leader, Admad Shad.

Reportedly saddled-up for a lead in this wartime drama, helmed by Berg is the star of the upcoming NM Production, 2 Guns, Mark Wahlberg, set to play Marcus Luttrell, the only member of his team to survive.

Taylor Kitsch of Friday Night Lights fame is slated to play Mike Murphy in the film.

UPDATE AUGUST 1, 2012: OLC Casting has just announced prep for casting 2 Guns!!!! Filming will begin in both the Albuquerque and Santa Fe area on 8/20/12. Get to OnLocationCasting.us to register or update your profile to be considered.

Feeling a rise in the fahrenheit here in NM my brothers and sisters?

Well, everything from temperatures to hemlines and everything in-between may be compelled to head upwards, esp. right here in the Q as two of the sexiest men in North America now tread where Tonto and the Lone Ranger (not to mention the molten lava hotness of one Walter White) have already set-up shop.

As we told you hereFIRST, the demi-god of NM’s The Book of Eli and the original god of underwear ad dreams are set to team in the graphic novel turned upcoming mega movie, 2 Guns.

The reports are in that the pair are IN TOWN now, in preparation for the film that will shoot here and in Louisiana later this year.

Drop us a line here if you’re impressed by the duo out & about in the Q.

Gracias Chimi

p.s. we had some kick a** (not really) new pics of The Lone Ranger set for you today, but somebody pitched a fit…so, no cigarro on that, but they are floating around out there…probably sure to surface on KOAT in a few weeks.

It was 1992ish when the hottest, most fabulous boy I’d ever met skipped across the gym floor to my post at the front desk of the health club, where I was working at the time (located just across the street from the Pan Am Center at New Mexico State University), he was not only beside himself, but rather outside himself with GLEE (that wasn’t a thing yet), shout-whispering like a champ, “Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod! (these were also the days long before OMG) Do you know who that is?!?”

I thought “Stewart” might have been referring to one of the mysterious (mysterious in that I knew pretty much everyone who came into the gym, none of whom were among ’em) and enormous men who had walked in, almost in a huddle just moments before this shout-whispering alert was barreling (skipping) toward me.

“THAT’S MARKY MARK!! THAT’S MARKY MARK!!” And sure enough, t’was. Standing what had to have been at least 2 feet shorter than the 7’+, hulking entourage that came in surrounding him was Mark Wahlberg. Not but 24 hours prior I was on the stairmaster (the REAL kind, where stairs actually come out like an escalator) next to my adorbs workout friend (whose name totally escapes me now, Erin?), sweating our young asses off and laughing about how “Marky Mark” was coming to town.

Alas, I was not terribly impressed because I was very young and freshly in love with another. He asked me a few innocent questions about the gym and “where are all the chicks with that thing up their butts?” (this is what women wore at the gym at that point in history). But even through my 17-ish y/o, freshly in love goggles I could see that he was/is unbelievably good looking. That was the first time a New England Boy’s “charms” would wash over me with a lasting impression (a draw that would be much to my detriment later in life, but I digress).

As if I haven’t quite literally dated myself with this post already, I’ll also tell you that he gave me his PAGER number. That’s right, pager number, “MARK 400-XX_XXX”, or however pager numbers were written. I don’t have it anymore because one of those lousy New England boys* threw it away many years later; took it right out of one of my girlie keepsake boxes and trashed it. But it is burned in my brain how he scribed, “Mark” on the back of that fitness center coupon (aww).

He also gave me tix or made a call (I can’t remember) whereby me (and my first true love [second only to one]) gained free entry to the “Marky Mark & the Funky Bunch” show, going on later that night at the Pan Am Center. We left early.

Mark was back at the gym the next day and stopped by in the daycare, where I was stationed to work that day. Again gorgeous, again sweet. I told him the show was great. He asked me why I didn’t page him at or after the show. I don’t remember how I answered.

So that is my Mark Wahlberg story. Does it hurt my eyes to look at his hotness now? Only slightly more than it hurts anyone else, and probably a little less than the girls who might have “paged” him that night.

“2 Guns” will be a Universal Pictures collaboration with Emmet/Furla Films. Marc Platt will produce with Randall Emmett and George Furla. Baltasar Kormakur will direct from the screenplay by Blake Masters, based on Steven Grant’s graphic novel of the same name.

The film is slated for a 2013 release with shooting set to start in New Mexico and Louisiana in June of this year.

Synopsis and local casting deets to follow.

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*Then I met Matt Damon and forgave & now love all N.E. Boys again (except Tom Brady and the aforementioned).